How Marijuana Can Relieve Pain and Improve Muscle Recovery

Cannabis is a controversial plant. It’s illegal in most countries, yet there is an entire subculture that embraced it and even more people – some established medical experts around the world – that are pushing for its legalization. The reason for all this ruckus can be summed up in one acronym – THC. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is an active chemical found in marijuana that has a particularly striking effect on user’s body and mind. The right dosage can relax muscles, relieve pain and modify mood and behavior. Marijuana can also be used to relieve muscle recovery.

Going against stereotypes

The problem is – the (mis)users of cannabis have given rise to the stoner stereotype. They are usually seen as lazy, self-indulgent, egocentric and useless people, and marijuana has been pegged as a gateway drug that leads to the abuse of heavier psychotropic substances. However, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving quality of the drug hasn’t gone unnoticed by medical experts and athletes alike. In fact, some of them are battling these stereotypes right now by using marijuana derivatives responsibly and with the purpose of improving their life quality. In fact, some of the athletes use transdermal patches that contain cannabis extract known as cannabidiol (CBD). This way, they can spring back into action even after they’ve suffered an injury. Due to the anti-inflammatory quality of the cannabidiol, the muscles can recover faster – in this way, it’s not all that different from, for example, Ben Gay Cream. Some of the athletes even consume specially designed nutritious power-bars and chocolates that contain marijuana.

How did we get here?

Alcohol has been legal forever, yet it is one of the most prevalent and aggressive mind-altering chemicals out there. It is known to slow down vital and cognitive functions, yet cannabis has been declared dangerous (and illegal) for almost the whole century. On the other hand, tides have begun to change over the last twenty to thirty years. Most of the first-world-country population support the legalization of marijuana. Athletes and people who suffer from debilitating diseases such as arthritis are stepping forward to support cannabis advocacy in a way that was unimaginable just mere thirty years ago. The population is beginning to see it as a form of “biohack,” not a drug meant for pleasure.

For example, 60% of American citizens are of opinion that cannabis should be legalized. 28 states have adopted laws that make marijuana legal in medical and/or recreational terms. Still, in many American states, and states worldwide for that matter, cannabis is illegal. This is why many athletes and people who need medical assistance come to Nevada where they can buy medically tested and legal cannabis products. There are even easily-accessible medical marijuana dispensaries in Las Vegas which show the future of the “biohacking” business. The apparent “stores” are actually state-of-the-art cannabis cultivation and processing facilities.

What’s the bottom line?

Some eminent figures from the world of sport and business state that cannabis is a performance-enhancing drug and that it should be banned. However, medical experts, people who use it legally and, let’s get down to it, medical trials, tell a different story altogether. First of all, marijuana has never been shown to give any unfair advantage to its user. At the same time, the users enjoy many benefits – both physical and mental. Its effects induce mild euphoria, treat anxiety, relax the entire musculature. In small doses, it can even help you concentrate.

Furthermore, as it was already mentioned before, CBD – the cannabinoid from marijuana – is widely recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it can increase appetite, which helps both people who suffer from terminal and chronic illnesses as well as athletes who need more nutrients to build muscle. The food craving, so often derided stoner “munchies”, is now stimulating patient appetite. To make matters even better, marijuana decreases nausea. Some treatments, like chemotherapy, or excessive physical labor can lead to nausea, and THC can decrease its symptoms.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a patient or an athlete, main chemical ingredients in marijuana can help your quality of life immensely. Muscle problems and other issues that create difficulty in executing normal everyday tasks and activities can be ameliorated through responsible and controlled use of medical marijuana.

The medical research has shown that marijuana has a built-in compatibility with our endocannabinoid system – the largest neurotransmitter system in human bodies that got its name, in fact, from Cannabis sativa.

Luke is a fitness and health blogger at Ripped.me and a great fan of the gym and a healthy diet. He follows the trends in fitness, gym and healthy life and loves to share his knowledge through useful and informative articles.